Wrinkles, dark spots, fine lines? You have tons of creams and serums to treat it all, but you want to get the most bang for your anti-aging buck. Make your anti-aging products work miracles with tips from Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist in New York City.
Start With a Clean Slate
Always
cleanse and use a toner on your skin before applying products to make
sure dirt and grime aren't affecting absorption. Layer moisturizers on
top of your medicinal products.
Don't Dry All the Way
Apply products immediately after you wash your face with warm water. Contrary to popular belief, your skin doesn't need to be totally dry before you apply a product. In fact, a little moisture makes your skin more absorbent.
Don't Go Overboard
Retinols
are the gold standard of topical skin care, treating everything from
wrinkles to acne, but use this anti-aging ingredient sparingly. "More
isn't better in this case," says Nussbaum. Opt for a pea-size amount on
your entire face. More will cause inflammation, dryness, and flaking.
(Dry, flaking skin doesn't absorb products very well, which is why you
should apply products after washing with warm water.)
Time It Right
Only
use RX retinoids at night. They can make your skin more sun sensitive,
increasing your risk of sunburn during the day—which can create wrinkles
and sun spots (defeating the purpose!).
Store Products Properly
Store
your products in a cool, dark place, like your medicine cabinet, since
light can influence the potency of effective ingredients. Vitamin C is
particularly sensitive to light. To get more "de-puffing" out of your
eye cream, try storing in your fridge.
Ditch the Daily Routine
You
don't need to use your prescription anti-aging products every day. Two
or three times per week will make them most effective for flake-free,
smooth skin.
Sunscreen
(SPF 30 or higher) is the ultimate defense against signs of aging. No
sunscreen is actually waterproof or sweat proof so you'll need to
reapply every two hours if you head outside. If you suffer from acne,
use a physical sunscreen with zinc or titanium oxide so it actually sits
on top of your skin without absorbing into it and risking clogged
pores.
Protect Yourself
Exfoliate, Then Apply an Antioxidant Serum
Exfoliate
once or twice a week to clear away dead skin cells, paving a clear path
for antioxidants to work their magic. Note: Exfoliation can make your
skin too sensitive to handle a retinoid, so stick to an antiox serum on
these days.
